ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The National Weather Service on Wednesday confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down near Orangeburg on Tuesday.
As Tropical Depression Fred moved into northern Georgia, a rain band comprised of showers and thunderstorms moved across the central and eastern Midlands, spawning a brief EF1 tornado near the City of Orangeburg, according to officials.
The National Weather Service storm survey confirmed a low-end EF1 (86 to 110 mph) tornado just north-northwest of the City of Orangeburg on Tuesday. Officials say the tornado traveled a path just under a mile with a width of 25 to 50 yards and peak winds of 88 mph.
Officials say the tornado, which was on the ground for approximately 3 minutes, touched down along Virginia Drive, just off of Columbia Road, and moved north. The tornado snapped two small pine trees about 20 feet off of the ground.
The tornado continued north toward the intersection of Farnum Road and Columbia Road. There the tornado downed several large limbs, uprooted a couple of trees and removed a few shingles and some flashing from Bethel Church.
The tornado then uprooted a couple of trees and downed a few large branches at a farm along the northbound side of Columbia Road.
Some of the large branches damaged a vinyl fence along the roadway. The strong winds from the tornado removed some of the fence caps and blew them across the highway to the southbound side.
The tornado continued north and snapped a small tree and downed multiple small and large limbs at the intersection of Columbia Road and New Hope Road. The tornado dissipated after crossing New Hope Road before reaching Widgeon Road.
Other than the minor damage to the church and fencing, officials say there was no damage to any structures along the path.